Staff Specialist

About HammondCare

HammondCare is an independent Christian charity that exists to improve the quality of life for people in need. We specialise in aged and dementia care, palliative care, rehabilitation, mental health services for older people, and other related health and aged care services. HammondCare seeks to embed evidence-based best practices in its services and we provide these services through home care, sub-acute hospitals and residential aged care.

Bringing these health, hospital and aged care services together, HammondCare has been able to develop innovative, flexible care models designed to serve people with complex health or aged care needs, regardless of their circumstances. HammondCare works to provide its staff with support, career development opportunities, education, responsibility and recognition, work/life balance, and satisfying roles.

About the role

Performing the clinical duties of a Staff Specialist in palliative care (0.3 FTE / 3 days per fortnight) as determined by the Director of Palliative Care. The position is primarily based at Neringah Hospital including care of patients referred to the community palliative care service, as well as provision of and participation in palliative medicine education, research and quality improvement projects and other activities related to the delivery of excellent palliative care. Participation in an on-call roster that is shared between HammondCare and Northern Sydney Local Health District is also required.

Key Responsibilities

The overarching aim of this position is to provide appropriate, high-quality, patient-centred care that meets the needs and expectations in line with HammondCare values and NSLHD CORE values.

This specifically includes:

• Conduct medical assessments and treatments of patients, with strong collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Ensure adequate documentation in the patient's medical record, and that required referrals to both the MDT and other health professionals are completed in a timely manner. .
• Co-operate with other medical officers in a professional and courteous way maintaining opportunities for clinical advice
• Ensure accurate records are kept in medical records, information is communicated with other team members as appropriate, records are written in a concise and objective manner, and patient information is kept confidential
• Ensure medical services are reviewed on a regular basis and the specialist is to be in the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and standards in accordance with the general standards of HammondCare Health and Hospitals, Northern Sydney Local Health District, the Australian Commission for Quality and Safety and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Engage in education to internal and external bodies as required, this includes formal and informal education as well as in-services
• Provide support to other medical staff including supporting and supervising junior medical staff. This includes ensuring Advanced Trainee supervision courses with the RACP have been completed to enable the working and supervision of ATs within the service.
• Ensure systems are in place for the day-to-day running of the palliative care service including the recording and maintenance of statistics, continuity of patient care, and communication with external providers

Essential Criteria

• MBBS or equivalent, currently registered with the Medical Board of Australia
• Applicants must have Fellowship of the Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine (FAChPM) of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians or have provisionally completed specialist training and is eligible to be recognised as a specialist within 6 months
• Consistently demonstrates behaviours that reinforce HammondCare and NSLHD values including collaboration, openness, respect and empowerment while demonstrating these behaviours with all stakeholders; colleagues, direct reports, as well as our patients and consumers, and those who care for them
• Appropriate experience to practice as a Senior Medical Practitioner in Palliative Care Medicine
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality compassionate medical care as evidenced by recent practice experience in working congenially and collaboratively as both a leader and member of a multidisciplinary team and as a provider of services that engender high levels of patient satisfaction and experience
• Demonstrated ability to work with teams to support and optimize their capacity to deliver services
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality improvement and clinical risk management, actively seek out improvements to service delivery, initiate change and consult those affected by the change, allocate resources and proactively manage potential conflicts
• Demonstrate participation in ongoing professional development and a commitment to education and research
• Current Drivers Licence valid in NSW

HammondCare is a NSW Health-affiliated organisation all NSW Health transferrable entitlements will be recognised.

Ready to make a change? Apply Now

For any specific queries please contact Dr Peter Roach at

*Free independent, confidential counselling services, wellbeing resources and webinars available through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family. HammondCare is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We thrive on creating an equal employment environment where everyone from any background can be themselves.

All short-listed applicants for these positions will be asked to consent to a criminal record check, immunisation staff screening & vaccination compliance checks.*